Miracle makes cameo appearance

I started out last Thursday praying for some small miracles to happen that day and ended thanking God for a series of huge ones.

I started out last Thursday knowing two things: I had a meeting to facilitate at 6:30 PM and the potential for chaos was high. There were a lot of unknown factors that I just didn’t know how they would play out and what would be required of me in dealing with them.

Would sectors within the community remain civil? I had a series of politically-charged, accusatory e-mails in my mailbox and we were not on everyone’s good side, to say the least. Would myself and/or CHC get stuck in the middle of a yelling match? Would people focus personal tiffs instead of the common issues at hand? Would there be any order at all? Would CHC’s reputation be marred FOREVER?!?!

Would the main speakers arrive and be prepared for their roles in the meeting? Because of other controversies happening, we had not been in a whole lot of communication beforehand. Had they talked amongst themselves? Would they fill their allotted time? I had neglected to communicate the exact time until that very afternoon—would they even come?

As a carless individual, how was I going to manage logistics of transportation without seeming like a needy child? I have no car because somewhere in the past few years of my college education and living near an oil field, I got it in my head that I should not own a car.

Theoretically a good idea, practically speaking- it’s hard. As community liaison, I am responsible for, among other things, bringing refreshment and other supplies needed for meetings that I plan. In addition, I needed to get home without being a burden to co-workers that live in the opposite direction and who have already driven me home in my last three carless weeks.

So, are you dying to know how everything turned out? We did not end in a bloody heap. There were some hand shakes and even hugs by some of those individuals most upset with one another. All the speakers were coordinated and gave great presentations. The meeting was going well enough that our LA County Supervisor (somewhat of a celebrity around here) made a surprise appearance and made some concluding remarks.

My carless situation was my favorite "miracle" of the night. I was able to get a ride to the meeting with my direct supervisor, no problem. And we were able to put the meeting supplies in her trunk and stop at the grocery store on the way there to pick up refreshments, no problem. I had ordered a taxi to pick me up from the church where the meeting was at, and thought that would be no problem as well.

But when my executive director (who I have not spent much time with this past year) heard I was taking a taxi, she INSISTED she drive me home. When the yellow cab drove up, she looked at me: “DON’T YOU DARE!” and then she intercepted my gaze and yelled to the driver, “MR CABDRIVER, I’M SORRY, BUT SHE JUST LEFT. SHE JUST LEFT. SHE WANTED TO CALL TO CANCEL, BUT COULDN’T. THANKS ANYWAY.” I ended up having some great debriefing
time with my co-workers and one-on-one time with my ED.

So I end this week thankful for "miracles," for things not always going wrong and falling to chaos. For points of connection. For moments of joy and beauty and grace that show up for a cameo appearance when you least expect and deserve them.